There is a moment, just as the sun begins its slow descent behind the jagged ridgeline of the Franklin Mountains, when the desert light turns everything a shade of amber and rose that no camera filter could ever replicate. I found that moment at Tom Mays Park, tucked into the western face of the Franklins inside Franklin Mountains State Park, and I have been chasing it ever since.
Tom Mays sits in the Upper Valley corridor of El Paso, accessible via Trans-Mountain Road (Loop 375), and it operates as a day-use area and campground within what is proudly the largest urban state park in the entire United States. That fact alone deserves a moment of appreciation. While other cities have pocket-sized greenbelts, El Paso has nearly 27,000 acres of raw Chihuahuan Desert mountain wilderness sitting squarely inside city limits — and Tom Mays is your front door into all of it.
The park offers shaded ramadas with picnic tables and charcoal grills, clean restroom facilities, and a genuine sense of remove from the city even though downtown El Paso is less than twenty minutes away. Families spread out on weekend afternoons with coolers and folding chairs while trail runners warm up at the trailheads before setting off into the backcountry. It has that rare quality of feeling both organized and wild at the same time.
Speaking of trails — the access from Tom Mays is exceptional. The Mundy’s Gap Trail and the Cottonwood Trail both originate nearby and offer a range of difficulty levels. Whether you are a casual hiker who wants a mile-and-a-half loop with big views or a seasoned trekker looking to connect into the longer backcountry routes, the terrain here rewards you generously. The desert flora — prickly pear, ocotillo, creosote, and the occasional blooming yucca — lines every switchback with something worth pausing over.
But here is what genuinely sets Tom Mays apart from a logistical standpoint: it is one of the few places in El Paso where you can reserve a campsite and sleep under a sky so clear and star-dense it almost feels theatrical. The elevation and the relative darkness of the western slopes make for outstanding stargazing, and waking up to birdsong and cool desert air before the city stirs is the kind of reset that is hard to put a price on.
Day-use fees are modest, parking is straightforward, and the park is managed thoughtfully by Texas Parks and Wildlife. Dogs on leashes are welcome, kids run free, and the grills stay busy from late morning until the last sliver of sun disappears. Bring mesquite charcoal, a solid playlist, and enough water — the desert is generous but it does expect you to come prepared.
Tom Mays Park is not a secret and it is not trying to be. It is simply one of the most honest and rewarding outdoor experiences El Paso has to offer, and it is right there, carved into the mountain, waiting for you to show up and pay attention.
